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Indians' Yonder Alonso: Signs with Cleveland

by RotoWire Staff | RotoWire

Alonso signed a contract with the Indians on Wednesday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports. The deal is reportedly worth $16 million over two years and includes an $8 million vesting option for a third year, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.

It appears the Indians have found their replacement for Carlos Santana at first base, as Alonso will join Cleveland following his breakout 2017 season. The 30-year-old hit .266/.365/.501 and knocked a career-high 28 homers (he hadn't hit more than nine in any prior season) across 142 games with both Oakland and Seattle last season, earning himself All-Star honors for the first time in his career. He did struggle against same-handed pitchers (.181/.263/.417), so it's possible he settles into the strong side of a platoon with Edwin Encarnacion at first, with Encarnacion otherwise serving as the team's DH against righties.

Alonso went 2-for-4 with a home run in Saturday's 6-4 victory over the Angels.

Alonso has played in four of Seattle's last five games, going 6-for-12 with three home runs and four RBI over that stretch. Heading into the year, Alonso had never hit more than nine home runs in a season, so 2017's total of 28 certainly comes as a surprise.

Alonso has hit a home run in each of Seattle's last two games, bringing his total up to 27 for the season. However, despite his hot bat, Alonso will head to the bench Wednesday. Daniel Vogelbach will start at first base and hit sixth in his stead.

Alonso went 2-for-3 with a walk, a home run, two runs scored and two RBI in Tuesday's 6-3 win over the A's.

In six games against his former club this September, Alonso has gone 8-for-19 (.421) with three homers, five RBI and seven runs. He's hit more home runs this season (27) than he had in the previous four years combined, and his 66 RBI and 71 runs are also new career highs.